Grade 12

FLASH
FICTION:
THE PLOT
ms.lyka sheine s. balantac
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, students will be
able to:
1. describe a flash fiction and plot of a story;
2. create a digital picture story;
3. perform a self or peer-assessment in
evaluating one’s work; and
4. realize the importance of friendship.
A flash fiction, one of the genres of fiction, is a short story with
much lesser words. Typically, a flash fiction story has no longer
than 1000 words in length. Some literary writers find writing a
flash fiction extremely difficult because they have to cover the
beginning, rising action, climax, and conclusion of the story with
very few words. Despite this challenge, many flash fiction stories
still possess those elements, all within the strict word count. The
word limit provides a very creative challenge.
Story plot, an important element of a
story, is also present in flash fiction. Plot
tells the reader how the story goes. It is
basically the sequence of the events in the
story. It is important to remember that the
plot is what carries the readers throughout
the story. Therefore, the plot should be
related in sequence and every event must
be connected to the previous or the next
one.
REFLECT ON!

1. What did you feel after reading the story? Expound

your answer.
2. Based on the story, who is Jake and why is he in a
state of loneliness?
3. What words were used to help you figure out Jake’s
identity?
4. Who was Max and what happened to him?
5. Do you believe in the adage, ‘A dog is man’s best
friend’? Elaborate on your answer.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF
FLASH FICTION
Story Structure: A flash fiction story is not the shortened version of a longer
story; it still follows the elements of plot, including a beginning, middle and end,
as well as a conflict and satisfying resolution.

Setting: Most flash fiction stories take place in one setting, as moving between
locations uses up too much space. It allows the writer and reader to focus on the
plot.

Characters and Backstory: Flash fiction pieces are plot-driven and include no
more than three or four characters. They may include some character
development, but too much backstory can use valuable space.

Description: One may think that flash fiction stories are short on description to
save space. However, a strong piece can balance vivid descriptions with a quick
moving plot. Stories that lack description are not satisfying to read, and a flash
fiction piece should feel complete.
THE PLOT
Every written story has a plot- the series of events and
characters’ actions that includes a beginning, a middle and
an end. Also, every written story has a plot structure or a
narrative arc. Although it is important for a story to have all
its essential elements, the plot is the major element of all as
it is what the story is all about. The plot is the actual story.
Without it, a writer has not penned anything.
 TWO TYPES OF PLOT
A writer can create a story using one of the two types of plot- a unified
plot or an episodic plot. A unified plot has a story that is realistic with a
central character and action and the story happens in one place during a
short span of time- a day, several hours or even just for an hour. An
episodic plot, on the other hand, has a story that happens in a much
extended period of time. A writer who employs the episodic plot
frequently uses the technique of ‘flashback’ to lay out background details
of the story. But similar to the unified plot, an episodic plot also has a
central character, setting and action.
THREE OTHER WAYS TO WRITE A
PLOT
PLOT – a movement in time
The plot is a movement in time when the story transpires on a particular period of time such
as an hour, a day, a week, a month or even a year.

PLOT - movement in casualty

The plot is a movement in casualty when the story is established on a series of casual events
that happen one after another. Here, the writer is to create a story based on the principle of
cause and effect that is, the first event sets off the second and the second event sets off the
third and so on. Hence, every new event has a casual relationship to the old ones.

PLOT - a movement in dramatic tension

The plot is a movement in dramatic tension when the story has dialogue, action, details,
descriptions and scenes that amplify the tension and persuade the reader to turn the page and
continue reading. The techniques of foreshadowing, flashback and epiphany are oftentimes
employed in this type of plot.
 Components Of A Plot Structure Or Parts Of
The Narrative
Exposition – This is the beginning of the story, also
known as the inciting incident. This is where the
author introduces the characters, identifies where the
story is happening, and establishes the main conflict.
This includes events, actions or even decisions that
build conflict, pressure or disturbance to the main
character.
 Components Of A Plot Structure Or Parts Of
The Narrative

Rising Action – This is also known as the

plot complication where the writer fully
introduces the conflict or the obstacle that
will prevent the main character, the
protagonist, to achieve his goal.
 Components Of A Plot Structure Or Parts Of
The Narrative

Climax – This part is considered as the

most exciting part of a story. This part has
the most tension or most exciting event
compared to all other events in the story.
Also, this is where important decisions are
made or important things are discovered.
 Components Of A Plot Structure Or Parts Of
The Narrative

Falling Action – This point occurs after

the climax as the problems in the story start
to work themselves out. The excitement
becomes less and less as the conflict is
resolved.
 Components Of A Plot Structure Or Parts Of
The Narrative
Resolution/End – This is the solution to the problem in a story.
When a writer brings resolution to end the story, he can end the
story with either an open or closed ending. When a writer uses a
closed ending, the resolution is done by answering all
unanswered questions that were implied or explicitly stated. A
death is an example of a closed ending. When a writer uses an
open ending, he leaves the readers to think, wonder or speculate
what happens after the story has ended.
THANK YOU!